Every day, one #physician commits #suicide, and all of their patients lose their doctor. This needs to stop.
It is critical we start the conversation to address #physician #suicide now because #physicians are the foundation of our health care system, and, let’s face it, #physicians deal with a lot of fundamental issues at the core of it.
Rapidly changing practice models, inefficient electronic health records and administrative and regulatory burdens all take away time to directly interact with patients. In addition, the frustration stemming from our limited ability to influence social factors that critically affect treatment outcomes creates frustration in our daily work.
This complex practice setting, coupled with long hours and high expectations, contributes to “burnout” among #physicians. In fact, 80 percent of physicians report being at capacity or overextended, with no time to see more #patients while spending nearly 23 percent of their week on paperwork.
Beyond the administrative burden, our work by nature deals with traumatic events. We get bogged down by the emotional toll of dealing with life and death situations regularly. We do our best to deliver the care our patients need, but sometimes find that the health care system does not allow for us to do so. It’s no surprise to me that 78 percent of #physicians experience feelings of burnout.
#JamesDonaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
There’s a #stigma surrounding #mentalhealth in our society, and it’s compounded when referring to #physicians. #Physicians have the highest suicide rate of any profession, and yet they often find themselves unable to discuss their own feelings of burnout or thoughts of #suicide. Fear of possible license restriction by state medical boards or dwindling referrals from colleagues can make #physicians reluctant to discuss their #mentalhealth with anyone.
Additionally, our patients may distrust #physicians who are suffering from #depression, questioning their ability to provide care when they are unable to care for themselves. Too many physicians feel they’re in an unfriendly practice environment that suffocates them rather than protects their well being and allows open discussions of burnout or #suicidal thoughts.
As an independent practicing #physician, I understand how working in our constantly changing health care system can seem overwhelming. And I know I am not alone — my colleagues also feel the #stress of the administrative and emotional hurdles we must deal with every day. We joined this profession eager to help patients stay healthy but find the health care system often stands in our way. I do not want my colleagues to lose their passion for being a #physician because of these obstacles, and I definitely do not want to lose another colleague to #suicide.
In order to address these fundamental issues that #physicians experience daily, we must redesign our health care system. The practice environment is shaped by inefficient electronic records, strained patient-physician relationships, and payment and care delivery models that do not incorporate the #physician perspective. How can #physicians be expected to deliver the highest quality care in an environment that is inherently ineffective and unfriendly toward them? We need #physician leaders to take charge in redesigning the systems they use every day, to create greater professional satisfaction, improved health outcomes for our patients and increased productivity on our end.
Until the issues at the core of the health care industry are addressed, #physicians will continue to encounter stressors that lead to burnout, dissatisfaction and potentially #suicide. We can no longer be passive bystanders by simply discussing burnout. We must lead and act now.
If you or someone you love is a #physician, learn the warning signs that may be present in someone who might be burned out or #suicidal. The Physicians Foundation recently launched the Vital Signs campaign to encourage awareness as well as provide suggestions for helping colleagues who might be suffering from burnout.
By being caring and informed observers of the possibility of burnout, we can help prevent #physician #suicide and start the conversation that is desperately needed to address it.
Gary Price, MD, the president of the Physicians Foundation, is a practicing plastic surgeon and an assistant clinical professor of surgery at the Yale University College of Medicine.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
